Integrating chicks of multiple ages, some raised by broody and some raised by humans

[igorsMistress]

I had three chickens and one kept going broody. This last time she was really insistent so I let her be and got her three chicks. She accepted them just fine but continued to sit on the nest the first day. My husband picked up another
chick but didn’t notice that it was older and already feathering out. We hoped for the best, but as I expected the older chick wasn’t accepted. Fortunately mama is not a vicious girl so the older chick wasn’t hurt. We went to get her friend and I’m raising the two older babies together myself. We call them the volcano girls as they’re Black Stars (black sex links).

I have mama and her babies in a separate yard and coop for now and the volcano girls in an enclosed garden during the day.

The volcano girls can see the rest of
the rest of the flock, 2 ducks and 2 other chickens, most of the day so they are all aware of each other. The ducks and chickens are also aware that the broody has chicks.

How to integrate when the time comes?

 

[igorsMistress]

I figure there are a few options.

1. Integrate the volcano girls in a few weeks, then let mama and her babies out to join the group.

2. Keep everyone separated until all the chicks are feathered out and mama pushes them away. Then put the chicks together to create a bond before letting them out with the bigs.

3. Let mama and babies join the others first, then volcano girls.

4. Let everyone out together and see how it goes.

I’m leaning toward option 1 right now.